Mumbai: BMC drags feet, water desalination plan on hold

Representation pic

The civic body's ambitious desalination project near Manori is on hold for now. The BMC hasn't initiated any proposal even after two months of getting a detailed project report from the consultant.

During the MVA government's tenure, the BMC had chosen a desalination plant at Manori, over the Gargai dam project, citing potential destruction of the Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. It had appointed an Israeli company, IDE Water Technologies Ltd., to prepare a proposal. The plant is estimated to supply 200 million litres of water daily in the initial stage.

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In January 2022, the corporation engaged SMEC India to evaluate the study and designs prepared by the Israeli firm. The report was to be ready by June, but it was submitted only in the third week of November 2022. "The DPR [detailed project report] has been submitted and the consultant has approved the design," said an official from the BMC's water supply project department.

As per routine procedure, the department concerned should have started the process of proposal submission to the administrator (civic chief), for getting permission for the tendering phase. But even after two months, there isn't any movement. "We haven't received any direction from senior officials," said a BMC official on condition of anonymity.

Rs 3,500
Crore cost of the project including 20-year maintenance